A Royal Navy Merlin HM.1 seen during a winching demonstration in Portland Harbour, Dorset.

A winchman from an HM Coastguard S-92A (G-SARB) is lowered onto the deck of RNLB Mora Edith Macdonald off the West Coast of Scotland. The helicopter is based at Stornoway and operated by CHC Helicopters on behalf of the Coastguard service.

Sea King HAR.3 ZA105/'Q' in the distinctive and highly conspicuous yellow colour scheme adopted by the RAF for its SAR helicopter fleet.

A total of six Royal Navy Sea King HU.5s are presently based at Culdrose and Prestwick.

One of the larger aircraft types expected to be offered for SAR(H) is the Eurocopter EC225 seen here configured for oil rig support.

HM Coastguard AW139 G-CGWB operating from Portland during a normal training mission in August 2008 near Lulworth Cove, Dorset.